Sheriff's officers find missing baby in Oak Park

DCFS issues warrant after mother misses appointment

Cook County Sheriff's officers executed a child protection warrant to recover an 8-month-old baby in Oak Park on April 22. The child's 41-year-old mother had left a Chicago alcohol and drug addiction treatment center without permission on April 9, a sheriff's spokesperson said.

When she failed to show up for an appointment with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services on April 18, the department issued a child protection warrant for her arrest, said Sophia Ansari of the Cook County Sheriff's Department

The sheriff's police received the warrant on Monday, April 22, and found the mother and baby in Oak Park, Ansari said.

"The child was fine when they found him," said Ansari. "DCFS issued the warrant for the child because they determined the child might be in danger," she added.

The mother was on a parole for retail theft at the time. Later that day after the arrest, she was arrested by Northlake police for shoplifting and charged with felony retail theft. She is currently in Cook County Jail awaiting a hearing.

The baby is now under Family Service custody, a statement from the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff Tom Dart established a child protection unit in October 2012 to find missing and abducted children in Cook County. The unit so far has recovered 133 children, according to the sheriff's office.

Chris- "mom" and i use the term loosely, has a substance problem and left what was likely to be a court mandated treatment program. Then she failed to show for a DCFS appointment. To take the cake while on parole for retail theft and committed another felony theft! The best thing that can possibly happen to this child is removing "mom" from the picture. Exactly what kind of example is the mother providing here? not to mention the example the state would set if they left the baby with her.

Chris Carrier

Posted: April 26th, 2013 11:08 AM

It's hard to pat yourself on the back when this action involves taking a child away from its mother.